DETAILS

 

Crate and an x-pen, and possibly some baby/door gates

Purchase an appropriately sized crate for your puppy, along with an  x-pen and, if needed, a few baby gates to create puppy-safe areas in your home. Your puppy's crate should be just large enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but no larger. Many crates include adjustable dividers, allowing the space to grow with your puppy.

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We've found that used crates and baby gates are often easy to find, while x-pens are less common secondhand and may be worth purchasing new. Their versatility makes them an excellent investment.

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Unless your puppy has significant confinement-related fears or trauma, starting crate training early is recommended. If your puppy initially struggles with the crate, an x-pen can provide a less confining alternative while you work on building positive crate associations. X-pens also serve many other purposes throughout puppyhood, including creating safe play areas and preventing access to parts of the house when you can't actively supervise.

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Baby gates are another useful management tool. They make it easy to block off rooms, keep your puppy out from underfoot when guests or service providers are visiting, and prevent access to the kitchen during meal preparation so they don't learn to scavenge for dropped food.

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Leash and drag lines

To get started, purchase a regular 6-foot leash for walking, and two lightweight leashes that you can use to make a 6 and 15 foot drag line by cutting off the handles.

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High end lightweight leash recommendation

Low end lightweight leash recommendation

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There are not a lot of lightweight puppy leashes on the market. If you want to save money, it’s easy enough to make them yourself with paracord from a hardware store and clips.

 

Treat pouch

There’s many to choose from, but we like pouches like these, with different attachment options (belt clip, shoulder strap, waist cinch), a drawstring to prevent treats from dropping out, a poop bag dispenser, two zipper pockets for valuables, and a side clip.

 

Dog bed

There are too many variables, sizes, and preference styles when it comes to recommending a specific dog bed. However, we can suggest two features you will want to look for: a raised edge, as it more clearly delineates the rest area for your dog, and machine washable!

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Harness

We strongly recommend using a harness for your puppy initially. Allow your puppy to be a bit spazzy and distracted for now; the harness will not hinder their behavior. The goal is to switch to a regular flat-buckle collar later when we teach leash walking. At that time, we can teach our puppy how it can avoid the pressure it feels when pulling on the collar, without having been desensitized to the feeling. We do not recommend used harnesses. One good option, which offers both good ergonomics and has a martingale collar that prevents your pup from squirming out, is the Freedom No-pull Harness.

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Nail clippers, dremel, and styptic powder

Consider purchasing nail clippers with a safety guard rather than the guillotine style, as they allow you to better shape the cut around the quick. A dremel can also be helpful for smoothing and refining the nails after trimming. It's also a good idea to keep styptic powder on hand in case you accidentally trim the nail too short. Corn starch will also work in a pinch.

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Even if you plan to have a professional groomer trim your puppy's nails, it's important to own these tools so you can gradually condition your puppy to be comfortable seeing, hearing, and handling them. This early preparation can make future grooming visits much less stressful for both your puppy and the groomer. We'll cover how to introduce these tools and other grooming experiences in much more detail in the Socialization chapter.

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Additional resource (blog): “Cutting Your Dog’s Nails: How Important Is It Really?”

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Food Toys

Your puppy requires toys for teething, training, distraction, mental stimulation, enrichment, and bonding. Different types of toys and play serve different purposes, and puppies often develop strong individual preferences. Some puppies enjoy food toys most, while others may become excited by tug toys, squeaky plush toys, chase games, flirt poles, or interactive play with their owners. As your puppy grows, you’ll likely discover certain toys and activities they especially love.

 

Whatever toys you choose, ensure they are size-appropriate, durable, and safe for your puppy. Avoid toys that can easily be swallowed, dissected, or ingested, and be cautious with inexpensive toys that may contain unsafe materials.

 

Food toys are particularly useful during the first few months because they encourage relaxation, independence, problem-solving, and appropriate chewing behaviors. They can also help redirect biting and keep your puppy occupied during downtime. Many food toys can be frozen to make the enrichment last longer. For some puppies, however, you may need to slightly soften frozen items initially to help keep them engaged.

 

Experiment to discover which toys your puppy responds to best, as preferences can vary widely among dogs. Below are a few food toy options we commonly recommend as useful starter items for most new puppy owners.

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Toppl (click here for recipe ideas)

Snuffle mat

Licky mats

Treat dispenser 

Treat dispenser

Safety item to secure bones and bully sticks​​